Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether GPs will be required to notify (a) the police and (b) the Home Office when making prescriptions for medicinal cannabis.

From 1 November, certain cannabis-based products for medicinal use, that meet conditions related to the quality of their manufacture and supply routes, can be prescribed by doctors on the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC). GPs will not be able to prescribe cannabis-based medicinal products for their patients.

There is no requirement for specialist doctors to notify the police or the Home Office when issuing prescription for these products. Controlled Drug Accountable Officers have a statutory responsibility to secure the safe management and use of controlled drugs. This includes a duty to monitor the prescribing, supply and administration (if applicable) of all controlled drugs and liaise with the police to investigate suspected diversion.